Uzbekistan Plov

This meal is a family favourite! Plov is a traditional dish in Uzbekistan. I came to know of this mouthwatering dish by one of my neighbour’s who is originally from Uzbekistan. I still don’t ever think I will be able to make it as perfectly as she does but my family is obsessed with plov so I must be doing something right! We often have this meal about one Sunday a month and it’s great to have something so different to Sunday roast dinners!

Ingredients

• 1/3 cup of vegetable oil
• 1 large onion
• Garlic clove peeled (carefully slice head of garlic-make sure it doesn’t fall apart!)
• 1 1/2lb of lamb/ beef cut into pieces ( I prefer lamb to beef but this is optional)
• 1lb basmati rice
• 1 bowl julienne carrots
• 1 tbsp cumin seeds
• 1 tbsp paprika
• 1tbsp coriander powder
• salt and pepper
• 2 1/2 cups boiling water (depends on size of the pot)

Method:

Before I start with the main dish, I always wash the rice thoroughly to prevent starch. Once the rice is washed, I let it sit in lukewarm water until it’s ready to go inside the pot. Once this is done you can start with the main below:

1. Heat oil in a heavy pot and once hot, fry the pieces of lamb until browned all over. Once browned, remove the lamb and place onto a separate plate.
2. Add the onions and fry until browned. Once the onions are browned, add lamb back into the pot and fry for a further 3 min.
3. Add the cumin seeds, salt and pepper and cook for 5 minutes. Add the julienne carrots, stir well and close the lid of the pot.
4. After about 10 minutes, add boiled water and peeled garlic clove and cook for 45 minutes with the lid closed.
5. Add the rice to the pot and (try to flatten at the top before closing the lid). You can use a spatula if necessary. Cook for 30 min (keep checking the pot to make sure the water has not disappeared. I use the end of a fork to poke through the rice for checking.

Cooking tip – After about 20 min make sure to mix the rice so that the top gets as much cooking and flavour as the bottom of the rice. Plate up and Enjoy!

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